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Target ditching the 360 Core system too?
Following last week's rumor that Best Buy will no longer stock the Xbox 360 Core system, Joystiq has received an anonymous tip that Target will be doing the same. The tip was accompanied by several images of the product listing in a store PDA, with the image above regrettably being the clearest. The upper right corner displays the Core system's status as "Discontinued." Coupled with the Best Buy rumor, it's starting to look like the Core is definitely being phased out. The question is whether or not another product will take its place or if the Premium and Elite models will become the only remaining choice.We're curious to see what our readers think about the possibility that the Core is going the way of the dodo. While it would eliminate the cheapest 360 offering, it would also ensure that future 360s would all benefit from a guaranteed hard drive, which would also conceivably allow game developers to utilize the hard drive for more detailed games. What do you think? Should the Core be discontinued or is it better for Microsoft to keep its bottom tier choice?
Rumor: Target done with Xbox 360 Core model
Although not mentioned as part of today's Xbox 360 price drop announcement, more evidence is coming in that the Xbox 360 Core model may be finished. An employee of a Target store took multiple images (sadly the clearest one is above) of the store's PDA showing the Core model as "discontinued" in the "status" bar at the top right. This follows last week's Best Buy information that the Core model was finished there as well. The stories are starting to stack up. We've been told by numerous sources that their various stores haven't stocked Core units in a while, this all feels identical to the way the PS3 20GB death occurred earlier this year.[Thanks Anonymous]
Confirmed: Xbox 360 gets price cut this Wednesday
All the fanboy speculation about leaked ads and rumors of an Xbox 360 price cut can finally be put to rest, because Microsoft has officially come clean. Today, Microsoft announced that this Wednesday (August 8th) all Xbox 360 console versions will be getting a little cheaper in the United States. Tomorrow, the Core system will retail for $279 (a $20 price cut), the Premium will retail for $349 (a $50 price cut), and the Elite system will be available for $449 (a $30 price cut). Again, the new prices will go into effect this Wednesday and are only planned for the US, but we expect price cuts to spread worldwide soonish. And we know there are a few fanboys out there who've been waiting (nearly two years) for this to happen, so go fanboys go and get your cheaper Xbox 360 this Wednesday. You have our blessing.
Is Microsoft about to kill the Xbox 360 Core?
You can add this to your ever-growing file folder stuffed with blurry photos of "products" or "internal memos." Joystiq is reporting that a source inside the hive-mind of Best Buy is claiming that the retailer has earmarked the Xbox 360 Core system for deletion in the company's computers. Apparently, this usually means that a product has been discontinued and "replenishment of the item is not expected," which seems to indicate that if the rumored $50 price cut happens, it may be taking the Core offering with it. Of course, this also might just be a piece of paper that your annoying neighbor knocked out on his dot matrix.
Best Buy is axing the Xbox 360 Core
Via an anonymous tipster (which are our favorite kinds), Joystiq received picture evidence that electronics retailer Best Buy is getting rid of the Xbox 360 Core system and isn't going to stock anymore. The tipster supplied sheet shows the Core model with a "deleted" status which means Best Buy has discontinued the item with an "out of stock" date of July 27th. The anonymous tipster also mentioned that the Xbox 360 core preference code is set to "y", which means that the retailer isn't expecting any more stock.So, with our rumor hat firmly secure on our heads, we have to speculate to what this exactly means. The most obvious conclusion would be that Microsoft themselves is discontinuing the Core system. But that isn't the case, because Joystiq has since heard back from Redmond since running the story and Microsoft is stating that the Core is still important to the 360 offerings and isn't going anywhere. So, could this just be a case of Best Buy removing the SKU due to inventory sake or could the removal of the Core hint at the rumored price cut? You know, using the logic that Best Buy feels a soon to be priced $349 Premium system would sell well enough that there'd be no need for the Core does make sense. No matter what the case is, we don't have any real answer for Best Buy's lack of Core love, but the news does get our heads thinking crazy thoughts.
Guilty Gear waggles into the US, leaving glitches in Japan
Aksys Games, publishers of Hoshigami Remix on the DS, have announced that they're localizing Guilty Gear XX Accent Core, the fifth revision of the third entry in Arc System Works' totally metal 2D fighting series. The new version includes 2 new characters, A.B.A. and Holy Order Sol. Aksys claims that A.B.A. has "never been seen outside of Japan," a claim that is only true if nobody bought Guilty Gear Isuka. In addition, Siliconera found a post on Aksys's official forums stating that they'll be fixing the bugs that were prevalent in the Japanese PS2 release. We consider "not being broken" a significant gameplay feature.Finally, in a decisive victory for Internet linguists everywhere, the official press release advertises, in addition to Gamecube controller and Classic Controller play, "Waggle controls exclusive to the Wii!" It's, like, an official term now.
Mazeltov! It's an Elite ... and what the heck is that?
Today we celebrate the birth of the Xbox 360 Elite. The $479 console comes black as a moonless night is for all you folks who just gotta have those HDMI ports. Other than HDMI, the hard drive upgrade cost is frackin' ridiculous and we've got far better color options before dropping that kind of money. Hopefully those who decided to purchase the brand new Elite system, which we'd hope wouldn't have the same issues as the non-Elite, won't have the problem found in the video after the break.As an aside, we really can't help ourselves on this one, what's that thing in the picture? Found in this week's Gamestop/EB Games flyer and sent in earlier this week by one of our tipsters, we didn't know what to think about this. Apparently Microsoft has come out with some kind of Xbox 360 lite: it's shrunk, inverted and altered. Either Gamestop accidentally leaked another Xbox 360 SKU (they've been known to do it) or this is a terrible graphic of the HDD-less, wired controller-having Core unit we all know and love. Bring the flyer into the store and demand that model and let us know how it goes!See also: Xbox 360 Elite vs. classic: The test Xbox 360 Elite Q&A Joystiq Hands-on: Xbox 360 Elite [Via Xbox360Fanboy, Thanks Micheal R.]
Gundam 0079 revealed, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core announced
We have yet to get the first Gundam game in the US, and Bandai Namco is already moving on to another one. Whereas SD Gundam SCAD Hammers used the pudgy lil' SD Gundam characters, this one is based on Gundam 0079, which is serious business. We've got a scan featuring the first images from the game after the break.Also announced, but not yet shown, was a Wii version of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core-- this is apparently 2D Fighter Announcement Week. We're a little scared to see how a precise 2d fighting game will use the Wiimote, and we're hoping that we can skirt the issue with configurable Classic Controller functionality. At least until Hori gets around to releasing a wireless joystick.
Confirmed: 360 trade-in value increased [update 2]
Over the past few days there has been a few rumors hitting the web about potential Xbox 360 trade-in prices increasing over at EB Games and Gamestop for the launch of the Elite. Well, we got in touch with a few Gamestop managers and it's true. The promotion started today and dramatically increases the trade-in value for original Xboxes, Xbox 360 Cores, and Xbox 360 Premiums. If you trade in a Premium 360 they'll give you $250 in-store credit, $200 in-store credit for a 360 Core, and $50 for an original Xbox. These trade-in price have increased pretty dramatically, because last week Gamestop was only paying $190 for an Xbox 360 Premium, now upped by $60. Both Gamestop managers also said that the new trade-in credit does not have to go towards an Xbox 360 Elite, but what other reason would you have for selling your 360? There you have it all wrapped up and confirmed. More trade-in cash for your old Xbox 360 to buy yourself a black Elite if you so choose.Update 1: We're thinking there may be a little confusion in Gamestop's head. We just got word from Kevin (who works at Gamestop) that the trade-in program uses coupons that are not valid until April 29th. Kevin says that the only way to increase the trade-in value is to use these coupons and the only way to get these coupons is to buy an Elite. So, according to him, you need to buy an Elite to get the increased trade in value. But, we double checked with our local Gamestop managers and they still are saying we could come in today and they'll pay us $250 for a Premium 360. Maybe all the stores just aren't on the same page ... silly Gamestop.Update 2: Even more details have emerged.
PSP price cut U.S. only, includes Entertainment Pack
So, you want to buy the PSP, only have $220 and you're a big fan of Lords of Dogtown. Well, you're in luck! The PSP Entertainment Pack, which includes the UMD skate film, a 1 GB memory stick and ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, has received the same $30 price cut as its little brother, the $169.99 Core Pack.But let's say that you want to buy the PSP, but you live in Europe. In that case, Sony has told GamesIndustry.biz that you're out of luck, as there's no European price cut at the moment. Yikes, Europe. Sony's retaliation for this little stunt was pretty swift and terrible, huh? This seems a little harsh, did you do something else to upset them? Just remember this lesson: If you buy a PS3, you get a free TV and a taxi ride home. If those 100 dudes are the only ones to buy it though, you keep paying €150/£100 for your PSP.[Via Engadget]
Things to do with the money you saved with the PSP price drop
Anyone getting the PSP Core for $169 is saving themselves a nice $30 off the previous regular retail price. With savings like that, some new PSP owners may be wondering what to do with the money saved. Being the helpful folks we are, we're going to give you a few suggestions.
